Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
Lauren Sevier @LaurenSevier
@LindaEpstein @kaitylynne13 On the publishing/contracts end...Is it standard that when an author finally gets an offer/contract that there is a book advance attached to that offer? Esp. for debuts? Would you steer anyone away from a publisher who does NOT offer a debut author an advance? #askagentI’m officially done with #askagent for tonight but yes, in traditional publishing it is standard to get an advance, whether you’re a debut or not. I wouldn’t advise a client to accept an offer without one.
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
Adrian Eves @AdrianEves07
@LindaEpstein How often do you get queries from writers who think they’re the next [insert buzzword]?Like maybe one in twenty. And I've literally never gotten one from a woman. Just saying.
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
Adrian Eves @AdrianEves07
@LindaEpstein in querying and samples, what are your pet peeves?I hate when people get my name wrong, have multiple spelling errors in their query, don't follow my submission guidelines, query me for things I don't rep, or are rude. 😬
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
JRPyle-Carter @JrpyleC
@LindaEpstein @AnneTibbets #askagent When's the best time to send an agent a query? Are there certain times of year when you're swamped?Agents are always swamped. Don't query somewhen when they are closed to submissions and don't expect agents to work on holidays/vacations just because that's when most people have the time to query. And be patient.
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
astoria @__karou
@LindaEpstein Any advice for new authors, or how to go about finding the right agent? #askagentAdvice for new authors is to keep writing, go to conferences, get a critique partner, and don't lose hope. Educate yourself on how people go about getting an agent, and do that. And remember that finding the right agent is like dating. (Sorry, I wish I had better news about that)
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
Kadie @KadieAWriter281
@LindaEpstein @kaitylynne13 #askagent Hi Linda, I was wondering if you know about collaborating authors? If two writers work together to become an author for their book, how would this work within the publishing/querying process? Thanks! 😊📝 I’m going to collaborate with my mom for the Sci-Fi book.If you're always going to write together then query together, because you'll want an agent who will sell books for you as a team.
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
Diane Callahan @QuotidianWriter
@LindaEpstein Thank you for being open to questions! A few for you:Do you reject books because the word count is too high?
What types of plots would you like to see more of in your genres?
Which comp titles are overused?
#askagent
If I loved something but the word count was too high I'd speak to the author about it. If a PB comes in at over 1000 words it won't work. If a MG comes in at over 70 or YA over 100K it won't work FOR ME. The titles you think would be overused are the ones that are.
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
🌾Beau Van Dalen @BeauVanDalen
@LindaEpstein What do you look for in a writer's first pages/chapters while reading their query? #askagentThanks so much for doing this! 😁🙏
First the query needs to capture my attention. If it does & I read the pages then I'm looking to be drawn in immediately, to a character or a situation (but I do ❤️a good character!) so much that I don't want to stop reading...
Linda Epstein @LindaEpstein · 4d
Laura A. Pike @lauraapike
@LindaEpstein I've seen a lot of conflicting information on what age the MC should be in a MG book, and what the typical word count range should be. #askagentOh hi! MG is for readers who are 8-12, so characters should be the same age. Sometimes it can stretch to 13. @literaticat has a post all about word counts here: literaticat.blogspot.com/2011/05/wordco…
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 6d
NLMcLaughlin @NMclaughlin9053
@UweStenderPhD When submitting a series, should there be a synopsis for each book in the series or should there be one synopsis that covers the entire story arc? Also, do you want spoilers or no?Not necessarily, but IF you have all of that, that is awesome. I personally don't mind spoilers, but that may be a NO NO for others.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 6d
Traci-Anne [wip = 38,483] @traciannecan
@UweStenderPhD With a lot of YA authors heading to MG, do you predict that will become as oversaturated as YA soon?Likely, but again, I am the wrong person to ask. I rep what I love.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 6d
Catherine T. Ricardo @CathyTRicardo
@UweStenderPhD I know that agencies vary on this point - if a writer submits to you and you pass, is it acceptable to query others at your agency? Or do you share submissions?In our case, go to the next Triada US agent.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 6d
Belinda Grant @belindagrant80
@UweStenderPhD If you come from a Non-American English speaking country, should you Americanize your spelling for querying?In my opinion IF it is grammatically correct in either/or US or UK English, it is fine.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 6d
Shanice Littlejohn is revising @twixsftbl
@UweStenderPhD How long is typically too long of a wait to hear back from an agent? Is a gentle inquiry welcome or unprofessional?Give people 14 weeks, after that they ought to be open to a nudge. IF they are disrespectful to you because of a gentle nudge, YOU should not want to work with them anyway. They may not have had a chance to consider yet, but they should not be CRANKY about a nudge.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 6d
Julie Shattuck @JulieShattuck
@UweStenderPhD Do you have any plans to close temporarily for submissions anytime soon?I will NEVER close to submissions. That is how I started my business, and I will die on that hill.
Dr. Uwe Stender @UweStenderPhD · 6d
Brett Jonas @BookSquirt
@UweStenderPhD If you are preparing to write a cookbook, do you write it first and query, or write a proposal first and query that? (I know about fiction, but this cookbook thing for my mom has me totally lost lol)Anything non fiction will work on a detailed proposal with sample chapters.